Bruins Earn Four Wins, Eight Medals at New Mexico Collegiate Classic

UCLA track and field team sees standout performances across multiple events

Feb. 7, 2026 at 6:47pm

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The UCLA track and field team had a strong showing at the New Mexico Collegiate Classic, earning four event wins and eight total medals over the two-day meet. Senior thrower Michael Pinckney, graduate hurdler Yanla Ndjip-Nyemeck, and sophomore middle distance runner Marie Warneke each picked up individual event wins, while the women's 4x400 relay team also had a standout performance.

Why it matters

The Bruins' success at the New Mexico Collegiate Classic demonstrates the depth and talent of their track and field program, with athletes excelling across a variety of events. This performance sets them up well for the rest of the indoor season and the upcoming NCAA championships.

The details

Overall, UCLA totaled four event wins and eight top-three finishes at the meet. Pinckney won the men's weight throw, Ndjip-Nyemeck took first in the women's 60m hurdles, and Warneke won the women's 800m. The Bruins also had a strong showing in the women's 4x400 relay, placing second with the second-fastest time in school history. Other notable performances included Paige Sommers clearing 4.29m in the women's pole vault to move up UCLA's all-time indoor list, and Tamaal Myers placing third in the men's 600m with a PR.

  • The meet took place on Friday, February 7 and Saturday, February 8, 2026 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The players

Michael Pinckney

A senior thrower for the UCLA track and field team who won the men's weight throw event.

Yanla Ndjip-Nyemeck

A graduate hurdler for the UCLA track and field team who won the women's 60m hurdles event.

Marie Warneke

A sophomore middle distance runner for the UCLA track and field team who won the women's 800m event.

Cade Sommers

A UCLA track and field athlete who won the men's "B" pole vault event.

Paige Sommers

A UCLA track and field athlete who cleared 4.29m in the women's pole vault, moving up to No. 5 on UCLA's all-time indoor top-10 list.

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What’s next

The Bruins are back in action at a pair of meets next week, both from Feb. 13-14. The bulk of the squad will head to Fayetteville, Ark. for the Tyson Invite hosted by Arkansas, while UCLA's distance runners will head to Seattle for the Husky Invite hosted by Washington.

The takeaway

The Bruins' strong performance at the New Mexico Collegiate Classic, with multiple event wins and top finishes, demonstrates the depth and talent of the UCLA track and field program. This sets them up well for the rest of the indoor season and the upcoming NCAA championships.